Portable Dispensing System for Bagged Fluids

ABSTRACT

A portable dispensing system for bagged fluids for turning a disposable liquid-filled bag into a portable personal hydration system.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/781,908, filed Mar. 14, 2013, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This disclosure generally relates to a system for transporting and dispensing bagged fluids, particularly potable fluids.

2. Description of the Related Art

Water is necessary for all life on earth. While humans can survive for several weeks without food, they cannot survive for more than a few days (somewhere around five, depending on the temperature and humidity of the surrounding environment) without water. In fact, humans need a constant supply of water in order to replenish the fluids lost through normal physiological activities, such as respiration, sweating and urination. As it is involved in a number of different biological processes, water is essential for the growth and maintenance of the human body.

Accordingly, proper hydration—i.e., taking in enough fluids to restore fluids lost—is vital to an individual's health. While hydration is important at all times, it is especially important in warm weather because it keeps your body from overheating. Hydration is similarly important during exercise and physical activity. Due, in part, to the large amount of fluids lost by the human body during fitness and sports activities, proper and constant hydration is paramount to the health and performance of athletes and other active individuals.

Athletes and other active individuals, in order to operate at their peak performance, need to ensure that they are properly hydrated prior to and during physical activity. Hydration is important to performance because, among other things, starting your workout dehydrated reduces the amount of fluid circulating in an individual's blood stream. Less circulating fluid in the body results in a larger strain on the heart during exercise, an increase in heat production, and negatively affects the body's ability to cool itself. The increased body temperature attributed to dehydration can also affect mental performance. According to the American College of Sports Medicine (the “ACSM”), being dehydrated by more than 2% of an individual's body weight can significantly reduce performance. To avoid dehydration and the negative side effects associated therewith, the ACSM recommends that active people drink at least 14-20 ounces of fluid one to two hours before exercise. Further, to replenish fluids lost during activity, the ACSM recommends that individuals drink at least another 16 to 24 ounces of fluids after completion of the activity.

In sum, the benefits of staying properly hydrated include the following: first, staying properly hydrated averts muscle fatigue and cramps; second, hydration keeps an active individual's heart rate lower for a longer duration; third, staying properly hydrated keeps one from overheating; fourth, acting as a lubricant for muscles and joints, water helps cushion joints and keeps muscles working properly; and fifth, because approximately 70-75% of muscle is made up of water, staying properly hydrated allows muscles to operate at peak performance levels.

Although most individuals and athletes know of the importance of staying hydrated for their health and performance, many individuals and athletes are chronically dehydrated. One reason for the pervasive dehydration in our society is the fact that most individuals only drink when they are thirsty. However, thirst is the body's physiological response to dehydration—i.e., the body is already dehydrated by the time an individual perceives thirst. Another reason is that many individuals only drink during meals. Further, many athletes fail to intake water during their physical activity (either leaving it for before the physical activity or after the physical activity).

This failure to stay properly hydrated despite the knowledge that proper hydration is vital to an individual's health and performance can be attributed to many different factors, including habit, access, lack of time and inconvenience. For many individuals, it is inconvenient to stop the task they are performing and refill the vessel they are using or to dispense water multiple times during the day after the vessel is depleted. This task becomes even more difficult in sports or other active scenarios. In these instances, carrying a water bottle or other common water vessel can be cumbersome, annoying and negatively affect performance. For example, holding a water bottle can alter the swinging of a runner's arms during a workout, thereby negatively influencing their stride and slowing their pace. In addition, in other activities such as hiking, an individual's hands are required for the activity and cannot be grasping a fluid vessel. Further, currently utilized water bottles generally hold about 12-24 ounces of water. In order to drink more fluids—which is often required in physical activities—the individual must seek out a water source to refill the vessel. This can be cumbersome and annoying and, in certain cases, depending upon the individual's location, not readily attainable.

To combat some of these problems, there exists in the art reusable hydration packs or reservoirs, commonly referred to as CamelBaks®. These devices are reusable reservoirs which have a fill port with a neck having an opening, a cap which seals the opening, and an elongated drinking tube through which a user may draw fluid from the reservoir. Typically, the bag-like fluid reservoir of these personal hydration systems is carried in a package, such as a back- or waist-mounted pack, leaving the user's hands and arms free to engage in the activity in which they are partaking. While personal hydration systems, such as the CamelBak®, allow users to drink more or less continuously while they are engaged in activities, they suffer from numerous drawbacks. One major drawback is that the reservoir must be cleaned between each use. Failure to properly clean the reservoir between uses can result in the build-up of mold or, in the case where flavored fluids are held in the port, unpleasant tastes and smells. The orientation of the reservoir and the elongated drinking tube often makes the personal hydration systems currently utilized in the art awkward and cumbersome to clean. Further, the rigid neck and opening often utilized to fill, empty and clean the personal hydration systems of the prior art have limitations with regard to their durability. Exposure of the neck and opening to repeated opening and closing and external forces often results in mechanical failure of the personal hydration device.

SUMMARY

Because of these and other problems in the art, described herein is, among other things, a portable dispensing system for bagged fluids for turning a disposable liquid-filled bag into a portable personal hydration system.

Described herein, in an embodiment, is a kit for adapting a fluid-filled bag into a personal hydration device, the kit comprising: a fluid-filled bag; and a portable dispensing device for bagged fluids, the device comprising: a clamp; and an elongated tube comprising a first and second terminating end and a length therebetween, the first terminating end having an intake port and the second terminating end having a mouthpiece; wherein the clamp serves to hold the elongated tube relative to the bag when a portion of said tube is within the bag.

In an embodiment, the device comprises: a clamp; and an elongated tube comprising a first and second terminating end and a length therebetween, the first terminating end including an intake port and the second terminating end including a mouthpiece.

In an embodiment of the device, the elongated tube is comprised of two component parts connected by a connector.

There is also described herein, a method for converting a liquid-filled bag into a personal hydration system, the method comprising: providing a liquid-filled bag; providing a portable dispensing device for bagged fluids, the device comprising: a clamp; and an elongated tube comprising a first and second terminating end and a length therebetween, the first terminating end having an intake port and the second terminating end having a mouthpiece; and inserting the intake port into the liquid-filled bag, creating an insertion point; and tightening the clamp near the insertion point.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a fluid-filled bag.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a fluid-filled bag with a handle assembly.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the elongated tube of the portable dispensing system for bagged fluids.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the portable dispensing system for bagged fluids.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The packaging of liquids in flexible bags is well known. In general, as depicted in FIG. 1, the liquid-filled bag (105) comprises a flexible plastic (or similar flexible material) sealed at four ends with liquid located therein. Dependant upon the use of the liquid-filled bag (105), the plastic or other material used to create the bag can be flexible and easily puncturable or more rigid and resistant to susceptibility from applied mechanical forces or somewhere along the spectrum between rigidity and flexibility. In certain embodiments, the liquid-filled bag (105) is formed from a tube of material sealed along two sides. The tube is then sealed at the bottom to form a pouch, filled with fluid, and then sealed along the top. In an embodiment, this liquid-filled bag (11) may be produced (i.e., formed, filled, and sealed) under sterile conditions or otherwise sterilized after production, such that either or both of the liquid (200) contained therein is sterile and the outer surface of the liquid-filled bag (105) is sterile. In other embodiments, other methods of producing, and other configurations, shapes, and sizes for a flexible liquid-filled bag (11) are used; the liquid-filled bag (11) is not necessarily produced from a tube, and could be similarly formed from a sheet, or formed using other methods, materials, or configurations. Generally, as it relates to the portable dispensing device for bagged fluids (101) described herein, any fluid-filled bag methodology known to those of ordinary skill in the art that is disposable is contemplated in this application.

In certain embodiments, the liquid-filled bag utilized with the portable dispensing device and system for bagged fluids (101) will have an extended portion (500) of the bag beyond one of the seals, as depicted in FIG. 2. In this extended portion, one or more openings (501) will be located. As demonstrated in FIG. 2, these one or more openings (501) will function as a handle mechanism for the liquid-filled bag (11). Thus, by holding onto these one or more openings (501), a user will be able to hold the bag in an upright orientation with one or both hands. In this orientation, the fluid in the liquid-filled bag (11) will be oriented at the bottom of the bag (11), normally leaving a top headspace of the liquid-filled bag (11) that is not filled with fluid.

The portable dispensing device and system for bagged fluids (101) disclosed herein is generally comprised of a fluid-filled bag (11), a clamp (102) and an elongated tube (103) with an intake port (120) at one terminating end and a mouthpiece (130) at the other terminating end. An embodiment of the portable dispensing device and system for bagged fluids (101) is shown in FIG. 4.

The clamp (102) of the portable dispensing device and system for bagged fluids (101) is comprised of any means known to those of ordinary skill in the art designed to bind, constrict or to press two or more parts together so as to hold them firmly. Specifically, the clamp (102) of the portable dispensing device and system for bagged fluids (101), when applied, will bind the elongated tube (103) and the fluid-filled bag generally at the area of connection between the elongated tube (103) and the fluid-filled bag (11) (stated differently, at the point of piercing). Thus, the clamp (102) serves to hold the elongated tube (103) and the fluid-filled bag (11) in tight connection at the point of piercing, thereby generally preventing any leaking from the fluid-filled bag and holding the elongated tube (103) in place inside the fluid-filled bag. In certain embodiments, the clamp (102) will be released and tightened via a screw and hex nut assembly that draws the two arms of the clamp (102) together. In other embodiments, the clamp (102) may be comprised of a tapered, threaded cone that would jam the film, resulting in a seal. Alternatively, it may be held in place with clips, clamps, magnets, or other mechanism known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Also, in certain embodiments it is contemplated that the clamp (102) will be further comprised of a handle or hanging point. Once the clamp (102) is attached, it is contemplated that the system can be transported or hung by this handle on the clamp (102) such as, for example, being hung by the handle in a backpack.

Although the length of the elongated tube (103) is not determinative, generally the elongated tube (103) will be long enough to allow the mouthpiece (130) to be carried in the user's mouth and to enable, once in place, the user to draw fluid from the fluid-filled bag at will. Further, the mouthpiece (130) of the elongated tube (103) may have a variety of configurations from an open end of the elongated tube (103) to a device that is coupled to the end of the elongated tube (103), the device only producing fluid upon the prompting of a user (such as by sucking). One example of a suitable mouthpiece (130) is a bite-actuated mouthpiece which is placed in the user's mouth and configured from a closed or sealed position to an open or dispensing position when a user bites or otherwise manipulates the mouthpiece with the user's teeth, tongue or lips. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the elongated tube (103) will be further comprised of a manually actuated on/off valve (175). This valve (175) is used to selectively prevent fluid from being dispensed through the mouthpiece (130), regardless of the configuration of the mouthpiece (130). Generally, the valve (175) will be actuated by a user exerting force on the valve, such as with the user's hands. In certain preferred embodiments, the mouthpiece (130) or the valve (175) will be self-sealing such that it will automatically return to the closed position unless manipulated by a user.

The other end of the elongated tube (103) is comprised of an intake port (120). In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the intake port (120) has a biased or otherwise pointed end. In this embodiment, the biased or otherwise pointed end of the intake port (120) is utilized by a user to pierce the liquid-filled bag (11) to position the intake port (120) and a portion of the elongated tube (103) in the liquid-filled bag (11). Stated differently, the point is utilized to puncture the liquid-filled bag (11). When placed into a liquid-filled bag (11) in the manner described herein, fluid is received into the tube (103) from the intake port (120). Thus, once the intake port (120) of the elongated tube is entered into a fluid-filled bag, the intake port (120) is in fluid communication with the contents of the bag (11).

In certain preferred embodiments, as demonstrated in FIG. 3, the elongated tube (103) is broken into two component parts connected by a connector (605). The first part in this embodiment is the piercing component (600). This portion is generally comprised of the intake port (120), a length of elongated tube, and one portion of the connector (605). In certain embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 3, the portion of the connector (605) on the terminal end of the piercing component (600) opposite the intake port (120) is the male portion of the connector, although this is not determinative. Generally, the length of the elongated tube (130) in the piercing component is long enough such that the intake port (120) can be immersed in the liquid housed in the fluid-filled bag (11) (so as to reach the corner diagonally opposed to a corner where the bag (11) may be pierced) while the connector (605) is outside the fluid-filled bag (11). However, this application contemplates any length of elongated tube (103) in the piercing component (600) that allows for the intake port (120) to be inserted in the liquid in the liquid-filled bag while allowing the connector (605) to be located outside the liquid-filled bag (11).

The second component part in this embodiment is the dispensing component (601). This portion is generally comprised of the mouthpiece (130), a length of elongated tube, and one portion of the connector (605). In certain embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 3, the portion of the connector (605) on the terminal end of the dispensing component opposite the mouthpiece (130) is the female end of the connector (605), although this is not determinative. Generally, the length of the elongated tube (103) in the dispensing component is long enough such that the mouthpiece (130) can comfortably be orientated in a user's mouth while the liquid-filled bag (11) is located in close proximity (e.g., in a hand-held bag, a waist-bag or a backpack).

Generally, any connector (605) known to those of ordinary skill in the art that is capable of connecting two elongated tubes to create a singular elongated tube while not disrupting fluid communication between the two elongated tubes is contemplated. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the connector (605) will have a release button that must be mechanically triggered to separate the connector (605) into its two component parts (thus separating the piercing component (600) from the dispensing component (601)).

In certain embodiments, the portable dispensing device and system for bagged fluids (101) operates as follows. In a first step, the fluid-filled bag (11) is pierced with the intake port (120), and the intake port is inserted into the fluid-filled bag (11). It should be understood that, in alternative embodiments, the fluid-filled bag (11) can be pierced by a secondary piercing means known to those of ordinary skill in the art such as a fingernail, key or scissors. In a second step, in the embodiment of the portable dispensing system in which the elongated tube (103) is comprised of two component parts, the dispending component (601) is attached to the piercing component (600) via the connector (605). In a third step, the clamp (102) is applied to the fluid-filled bag (11) generally at about the point of connection between the elongated tube (103) and the fluid-filled bag (11) (stated differently, generally at the point of piercing). Once the portable dispensing device and system for bagged fluids (101) is inserted into the liquid-filled bag (11), the system can be manipulated by a user into an orientation that is easily transportable—e.g., the fluid-filled bag can be placed in a backpack or waist bag.

It should be readily understood that the portable dispensing device and system for bagged fluids is a reusable system. Accordingly, the portable dispensing device and system for bagged fluids can be utilized repeatedly with different liquid-filled bags. With few component parts and with the elimination of the need to clean and dry a reservoir after each use, the portable dispensing device and system for bagged fluids eliminates many of the problems present in the personal hydration systems of the prior art.

While the invention has been disclosed in connection with certain preferred embodiments, the elements, connections, and dimensions of the preferred embodiments should not be understood as limitations on all embodiments. Modifications and variations of the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and other embodiments should be understood to be encompassed in the present disclosure as would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. 

1. A kit for adapting a fluid-filled bag into a personal hydration device, the kit comprising: a fluid-filled bag; and a portable dispensing device for bagged fluids, the device comprising: a clamp; and an elongated tube comprising a first and second terminating end and a length therebetween, the first terminating end having an intake port and the second terminating end having a mouthpiece; wherein the clamp serves to hold the elongated tube relative to the bag when a portion of said tube is within the bag.
 2. A portable dispensing device for bagged fluids, the device comprising: a clamp; and an elongated tube comprising a first and second terminating end and a length therebetween, the first terminating end including an intake port and the second terminating end including a mouthpiece.
 3. The portable dispensing device of claim 2, wherein the elongated tube is comprised of two component parts connected by a connector.
 4. A method for converting a liquid-filled bag into a personal hydration system, the method comprising: providing a liquid-filled bag; providing a portable dispensing device for bagged fluids, the device comprising: a clamp; and an elongated tube comprising a first and second terminating end and a length therebetween, the first terminating end having an intake port and the second terminating end having a mouthpiece; and inserting the intake port into the liquid-filled bag, creating an insertion point; and tightening the clamp near the insertion point. 